I'm not a fan of the iPod. I prefer other MP3 players (no, not the Zune - my current player is a Cowon iAudio), but that can't detract from the fact that when Apple unleashed the iPod on the world, that they opened and conquered a market that they are still dominating.
The Apple fanboys of the world love pretty much all things Apple or iProducts - and ever since the iPod came out these people have created or brought to light some really strange or unique stories or tales about Apple's goldmine of a product.
From unlikely stories to interesting photos to unusual accessories to amazing mods, here are 20 strange or unique iPod stories:
PodBrix is extremely strange and unique - but geeky all the way round. There's really no better way I can describe the little iPod Lego man, because it's all up at the PodBrix web site - so be sure to go and check it out
18. The iPod Altoids Battery Pack
Chris DiClerico posted a mod on his blog about an external battery case for an iPod he made out of an Altoids tin. It's a pretty neat little mod that you can check out over at his site.
17. Bulletproof iPod
It is able to withstand a 0.22 bullet. Or so I have been told. This iPod shell / case was created by a Japanese modder - and received quite a lot of attention online. You can check out more information over at Gizmodo.
16. World's biggest iPod
It is 25 feet tall, and attached to the side of a building. Yes, it actually plays music, and MacDailyNews had the scoop when it first appeared back in May. If you're interested in the play list, you can check it out here.
15. The iPod Marriage Proposal
JD over at Geek i 4 the tech guy (or girl) posted a blog in December 2005 about how he proposed to his girlfriend via iPod. He bought his girl an iPod Nano with his proposal engraved on the back - the best part of the story? She said yes.
14. Corgi's iCar
Is it unique? Yes. Is it strange? It is, absolutely. Labeled as the "worst iPod accessory ever" by Macenstein, the iCar is a cheesy speaker system for iPods that comes complete with a model car that flashes lights and is pimped out with hydraulics.
13. iPod Linux
This project, unique though not unexpected, is an open-source attempt at putting Linux on an iPod. Referred to as "the essential hack" for iPods by Playlistmag.com, the venture speaks for itself, and can be found at the iPod Linux Project's wiki.
12. FM Transmitter for your iPod
This unique accessory plugs into your iPod and broadcasts it on an FM frequency. In other words, the iTrip can be used to transmit your play list to your radio in your car. However, I like the idea of it being used to become some kind of pirate radio host - or even better, just screwing with people. You can check out the iTrip over at Griffin Technology.
11. iPod glow helps find person lost in the forest
Towards the end of last year, 25-year-old Pini Nou from Washington was out picking mushrooms, when he got lost. After it was realized that Nou was missing, search crews started the hunt for him. The search ended in the middle of the night, when Nou was spotted. How did the search crews spot him in the dark? From the glow of the iPod he was listening to. The full news story is available over at Gazette-Times.
10. The iPod Sports Bra
This would be considered fairly unique, but perhaps not so strange. Okay, I'll be honest; I included this accessory in this list for two reasons: First, it's cool, and second, the pics on the site are great! The POWER-POUCH Sports Bra for iPod is pretty cool - those interested can get their hands on one for about $30. Uh... pardon the pun...
9. Listen to your iPod, while you wipe
Probably one of the strangest iPod accessories ever invented would have to be Atech's Toilet Paper Dispensing iPod Dock, believed to have been first reported over at the Unofficial Apple Weblog. Whoever said wiping crap nuggets from your butt couldn't be enjoyable?
8. Teacher's neck broken over student's iPod
Usually when I put articles like this together, I try to grab positive, weird, or interesting snippets for people to check out. But this story doesn't fit into any of those elements, yet it is an extremely unusual, though negative, story. The tale, originally reported by ABC, reports that two students attacked a 60-year-old teacher at Germantown High School after one of the kids had his iPod confiscated by the teacher. Both students were arrested over the incident, which was caught on video, and the poor teacher broke his neck in two places from the attack. It's a very sad and infuriating story. I hope the teacher, Mr. Burd, has recovered.
7. The Pope gets an iPod
You've heard of well-known celebrities jumping on the iPod bandwagon - but personally, I never thought the Catholic Church would. According to an article at the Catholic News Service, Pope Benedict XVI got his hands on a 2GB iPod Nano, loaded with classical music by Mozart and Stravinsky. There doesn't seem to be any photos of his holiness gettin' down with the jams, so here's some photoshopped goodness for you:
6. The self-pleasure of an iPod
One of the things Apple fanboys and fangirls love about their iPods are the accessories available out there. It's inspired some third-party companies to come up with their own, but perhaps the most unique has to be the OhMiBod - a vibrator that "rumbles" in sync with the music you're listening to on your iPod. Interested ladies will want to check out OhMiBod's website.
5. iPod won't boot? Well, fix it!
I had a friend of mine who brought me his iPod a long time ago because it faced this problem. At first, I couldn't work it out, and got together with another friend of mine who just so happens to be a Mac fangirl. She also couldn't work out what to do with it... but as we scoured the web for help and answers we found this awesome tutorial posted over at CrunchGear that was the answer to our problem. From basic software troubleshooting to pure geek-loving iPod surgery, this step-by-step guide will prove to be extremely helpful if your iPod one day just decides to not work for you.
4. RIAA iPod Mod
We geeks cannot help ourselves. Not only do we have to customize everything we use to our liking - we just have to mod stuff for either its infinite coolness factor, or for the learning experiencing in itself. This iPod mod is very popular and was first submitted to Flickr by sxenko. What's not cooler than a mod that sticks it to the RIAA?
3. Will the iPod blend?
Geeks that regularly visit places like Digg and YouTube will soon discover the legend that is Tom Dickson (if they haven't already done so) and the "Will it Blend" videos. These promotional videos from Blend Tec highlight that their industrial blenders are strong enough to blend every thing from cell phones to rake handles to marbles... and now, iPods. As Apple fanboys cringed while watching this, many couldn't help but smirk at the concept as it manifested itself on the video.
2. iPod saved Soldier's life
The most recent and unusual iPod story was the recent surfacing of images detailing how an iPod saved a soldier from being killed by a round from an AK-47 while on patrol in Iraq. You can catch the full story here, which also has links to the main photos available at Flickr. Incredible and amazing story - hope Apple gives him a free replacement!
UPDATE: There's more to this story than meets the eye... The full, real story has surfaced online, and you can check it out here over at Digg.com.
1. Costco uses Zune box as a stand to sell iPods
The Apple vs. Microsoft mentality will never die. It's probably as popular today as it was in the 1980's and 1990's, if not more so. That's probably why this photo, found over at MacDailyNews became very popular very quickly. The photo was taken at a Costco store, where the company had used a Microsoft Zune box as a stand to sell their iPod products. Microsoft, in this instance, has been pwned.
